Gold touches seven-week peak on Strait of Hormuz reopening hopes
Gold advanced for a fourth straight session on Thursday and touched its highest level in seven weeks, helped by weaker oil prices, a softer dollar and lower Treasury yields, on growing hopes over the Strait of Hormuz reopening. Spot gold was up 1% at $4,285.84 per ounce by 0132 GMT, the highest level since June 18. On Wednesday, bullion posted its biggest daily gain since February. US gold futures rose 0.9% to $4,345.80. “The sharp rally came on building optimism that a diplomatic breakthrough in the Middle East is close to being finalised. This in turn would keep downside pressure on oil prices and reduce the need for central banks to raise rates, providing a clear tailwind for gold,” IG market analyst Tony Sycamore said.